Margaret Ellen Conner

Margaret Ellen Conner is an Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Department of Virology and Microbiology and the Department of Education, Innovation & Technology. She also serves as Scientific Director of the Gnotobiotics Core. Her research focuses on mucosal immunity against enteric pathogens, particularly rotavirus and Clostridium difficile, exploring IgA mechanisms and vaccine strategies.

Education: Ph.D. (Cornell University, 1985), M.S. (University of Kentucky, 1979), B.S. (Cornell University, 1976).

Research Interests: Dr. Conner investigates IgA's role in gut defense, rotavirus-induced immune activation, and CDI pathogenesis. Her work combines immunological and microbiological approaches to understand mucosal immune responses and develop therapies.

Publications Highlight: Recent studies include Bacteroides ovatus's role in mitigating graft-versus-host disease and mechanisms of IgA induction in intestinal immunity. Collaborations span virology, microbiology, and translational medicine.

Grants & Labs: Leads projects on rotavirus immunopathogenesis and CDI immunology, utilizing gnotobiotic models. Her work contributes to mucosal vaccine design and understanding pathogen-host interactions.